Delaware State Beach Patrol Wins Second Consecutive National Championship
STATE OF DELAWARE - The Delaware State Beach Patrol (DSBP) has secured a national championship for the second consecutive year. The Sussex County Lifesaving Association claimed the title at the U.S. Lifesaving Association competition held in Huntington Beach, California.
The team demonstrated exceptional performance despite challenging conditions. Wave heights ranged from 4 to 10 feet during the competition. The Sussex County team defeated two California teams that had previously maintained perfect home-state records.
Individual Recognition
Three men and three women from the Delaware State Beach Patrol earned top-five placements in their respective gender categories.
Men's Results:
- Coleman Woodard: First place (defending champion)
- Landon Sengphachanch: Third place
- Isiah Brittingham: Fourth place
Women's Results:
- Elizabeth Fry: First place
- Amy Venables: Fourth place
- Jessica Tyndall: Fifth place
Competition Details
A total of 19 DSBP members participated as part of the 87-member Sussex County team. The team included representatives from beaches along Delaware's southern coast. The national competition featured 56 teams and 800 competitors from across the country.
Captain Bailey Noel, who leads the Delaware State Beach Patrol, achieved top scores in masters' classes. These included run-swim-run, surf swim, Ironman, and board race events.
"This was the biggest surf I've ever raced in, and it was big - even by California standards," said Captain Bailey Noel. "Everyone did a great job navigating paddleboards and surf skis through the waves with little experience we have in surf this heavy."
Event Placements
DSBP members achieved top-three finishes in multiple events:
First Place:
- 4×100 Sprint Relay (Women): Venables, Tyndall, Hailey Moore, Helena Nester
- 90M Sprint: Tyndall
Second Place:
- 2K Beach Run: Maura Lenhart
- Beach Flags: Brittingham
Third Place:
- Landline Relay: Venables, Moore, Elizabeth Perry (North Shores Beach Patrol), Mackenzie Gorman
- Ironman: Woodard
- 4×100 Sprint Relay (Men): Brittingham, Sengphachanch, Konnor Knarr (Rehoboth Beach Patrol), Shane Hall (Middlesex Beach Patrol)
Regional Competition Success
The Delaware State Beach Patrol maintained its competitive edge throughout the summer. The team secured first-place finishes at regional competitions hosted by Ocean City, Sea Colony, Middlesex Womens, Delaware State Parks, USLA Mid Atlantic, Dewey Beach, North Shore, and Rehoboth Beach Lifeguard Olympics.
Beach Operations Coverage
The DSBP operates at five Delaware State Parks beaches. These locations include Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore, Fenwick Island, and Deauville Beach.
Summer Activity Summary
Beach patrol members handled significant activity during the summer season. Operations included 251 rescues, 64 medical emergencies requiring emergency medical services, and assistance with 47 lost individuals. Staff also treated over 400 jellyfish stings.
Notable incidents included assistance with two individuals who sustained possible spinal injuries in the surf. The team rescued 30 swimmers caught in rip currents at Cape Henlopen.
Additional operations involved aiding three individuals at Indian River Inlet who had swum too far from shore and assisting two jet skiers caught in rough waters off Holts Landing.
Leadership Recognition
Matthew Ritter, director of DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation, acknowledged the team's achievements.
"The Delaware State Beach Patrol is an amazing, professional and caring group of athletes, and we couldn't be more proud of their accomplishments this year, especially on our beaches in Delaware," said Matthew Ritter. "They are simply the best."
Junior Lifeguard Program Expansion
Several Delaware State Beach Patrol members contribute to youth development through the Junior Lifeguard Program. The four-week summer program targets participants aged 7 to 16 who show interest in ocean swimming.
The program reached capacity for the first time in its history. All 30 allocated slots were filled, prompting organizers to add 20 additional positions to meet demand.
Program activities mirror daily training requirements for beach patrol members. Curriculum includes ocean safety instruction, rescue skills development, teamwork exercises, mock scenarios, beach fitness training, surf skills development, first aid basics, and environmental awareness education.
The program concludes with a competition where Delaware State Beach Junior Lifeguards compete against other junior lifeguards in Sussex County.
Program Information
Additional information about the Delaware State Beach Patrol and Junior Lifeguard program is available at https://www.destateparks.com/beach-patrol/. The website includes details about applications for both programs for the 2026 season.
